Sony flash adapter questions.

[Keaki]

This is a long one chaps, here we go...

I have been disappointed in the range of flashes or lighting equipment, and as i am going into macro photography, the question of ringflashes came up. So i had a look at a sony flash adapter (not the £100 one, the cheap ones. Search on amazon.co.uk to see what i mean) in order to get a better choice.

Questions;
What type (make/model) of flashes fit this adapter?
What Constitutes a 'High Voltage' Flash?
Are most flashes 'high voltage'?
Are ringflashes 'high voltage'
Will a ringflash converter (eg.rayflash) fit any flash?
Will the above work as i will have my flashes raised by the hotshoe adapter, or will they be blocked by the lens?
Should i splash out on the more expensive flash adapter with voltage protection?

Info for questions;
I have a sony a200 with an 18-70mm lens,and a 70-200mm lens
Also, very strapped for cash at the moment, budget options please!

Sorry no links, i'm not allowed to post them (another question here; explain why this rule is in place?)

Also, sorry if this post is confusing, i can clarify if needs be.

Thanks in advance!
Keaki

[tenchy]

Not able to help with the Sony Q's sorry, but the links rule is there as many many times spammers join just to post links to this or that.
To overcome that the 50 post rule is there, as after 50 posts (which isn't long really) it is usually clear the user is contributing and likely to stick around.

[Roger S]

I'll let the experts answer your flash questions. The reason for the no links rule is to prevent spammers from joining then posting up some link, and disappearing again. As soon as you have 50 posts, or premium member, you are free to link.
Roger

[Keaki]

ah, that explains one thing! Thanks very much!

[chaz]

I would say any flash made exclusively for digital cameras are fine, many of the older flashguns had a high trigger voltage and are said to be harmful to the electronics of modern cameras, of course there will be workarounds like the wein safe sync.